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How you treat others is a BIG DEAL: Addie’s story

In sports, in the classroom, or in the neighborhood, your kids will rub shoulders with children who have mental and physical challenges. And it is your job as parents to help them understand and appreciate those children as individuals.

I’d like you to meet Addie, a 7-year-old girl with down syndrome. Her mother wrote about a day in Addie’s life and when I read her story, I knew I had to share it with you.

Yesterday was the last day of first grade for Addie, my oldest daughter. Addie is fully mainstreamed in a 1st grade classroom and has an aide to assist her in the classroom, and at recess and lunch.

At Wolf Canyon Elementary the students line up every morning to get a “character talk” from the principle, say the pledge, and sing. Since it was the last day I stood with Addie and her class until they were escorted by the teachers.

The sun was out, but it was a little breezy and Addison, who was wearing a sundress, began to shiver. She talked with her friends and played hand clapping games, interjecting occasionally that she was cold. One of the girls in her class, noting that Addie was cold, took her sweastshirt off her back and with a smile on her face said, “here Addie, don’t be cold.” They hugged and continued with their games.

The teachers walked the kids to their classrooms. As Addie hung up her backpack, a third grader passed by and said to his friend, “Hey dude, there’s Addie!” The other boy shouted, “Hey Addie! HI.” She turned, smiled and in her low raspy voice, “hi guys.”

Later, when I picked her up after school, there was much last-day-of-school excitement. One of the moms from Addie’s class invited Addie and I to go out for frozen yogurt. When I said “yes” a girl from her class said, “Yay! Addie’s going.”

So what? you may be thinking. What’s the big deal about a sweatshirt, Hi from a 3rd grader, and frozen yogurt?

The big deal is acceptance and inclusion. We desire these for our kids. Heck, we desire them for ourselves as adults. My other 3 children have experienced acceptance and inclusion, but I wondered if Addie would. When I was a kid, kids who were different were not treated equally. They were separate, singled out, misunderstood, and left out. Not always because of cruelty, sometimes just because of ignorance and lack of education.

The big deal is that at Addie’s elementary school there is a principle willing to take a chance on a child who is delayed developmentally. Addie will not help raise their average test scores. She will cost them money for speech therapists, occupational therapists, and aides. But the principal knows that including her in a typical classroom will make a difference in her education, her behaviors and her life. And it not only benefits Addie, but her class and the entire school.

A school is changed when children of all abilities are part of the classroom, the playground, and the cafeteria. It teaches the valuable lesson that though we are unique we can share this life together, growing, learning and loving each other.

The big deal is a 1st grade teacher who sacrifices her time to modify curriculum, learn about special needs, and attend extra meetings just to make a difference in the life of one child. Because of her, my child believes she can do anything. She’s learning to read, write, add, subtract, and communicate clearly with others. Not only does she have friends, she believes she is the most popular girl on campus and reminds me that, “they are ALL my friends mom. They love me.”

The big deal is a community of families that have embraced Addie and educated their children on how Addie is different and the same from them. And as a result, most of her peers don’t think anything of her differences. In their words, “that’s just Addie.”

I believe that Addie has made a difference in the life of these students. They have a softer heart and a quicker response to help others in need and a love for someone who may not be just like them.

Perhaps one of her classmates said it best when she told her mom, “I am really surprised I’m friends with Addie. I would never thought I would have a friend like her.”

The mom responded, “Why honey. What makes you say that?”

Her reply, “because Mom, I have brown hair and Addie’s is blonde.”

Jennifer Jones lives in Southern California with her husband and four children.

Comments

Visiting from Monday Mingle.
Thank you so much for sharing Addie’s story. It warms my heart to hear that their are caring and understanding adults out there. Children tend to mimic their parents and authority figures. These parents, teachers and school administrators are doing it right. Kudos to them and their children!
My son is hearing impaired and I know it’s hard being the different child when others don’t understand.

Beautiful, love everything about your site. I am all about love and giving love and beginning with love. I teach my kids that we have to open our doors with love and of it starts getting cold then slowly shut it. Loved your post :).

What a WONDERFUL and loving story about Addie. When I saw her cute smiling face, I knew I had to read the story you wrote. I too, had an aunt that had down syndrome and I completely grew UP with her since I was a tiny baby. She was one of my most favorite people in the world and was very funny and loving and I always enjoyed spending time with her. She was a real blessing in our lives and it’s obvious little Addie is as well in the lives of others at her school. I’m so happy to hear she’s getting to lead a “normal” life. Thank you for sharing the adorable story and adorable picture of Addie – my favorite line in the whole post though is the last one regarding the hair color – I had to literally LOL at that one! I love a child’s innocence! 🙂

Hi,friend! I finally read Addie’s story and was not disappointed. I hope to meet her someday too. If we open ourselves up to the lessons of life and love that children can teach us, the richer our lives could be for sure!

My goodness, what a wonderful story. It’s great she participates in sports, that’s always good for kids. I’m a big supporter of the Special Olympics, too.
Visiting from ‘Cup of Joe’ blog hop.
Barbara,http://spanishforkids-jbplbarbara.blogspot.com

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Meet Janis B. Meredith

I am a youth sportsparenting blogger, podcaster, and parent coach. I help busy and often overwhelmed sports parents by providing resources to guide them as they strive to give their children a positive and growing youth sports experience.